Today, Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and Committee Republicans slammed Democrats at a scheduled  markup on their intent to grant Chairman Grijalva (D-Ariz.) unilateral subpoena authority. The resolution, which advanced on a party-line vote, would wipe out input of Minority members, take Committee decision making behind closed doors, and provide unchecked subpoena authority over private citizens and agencies.

“We are dealing with a de-facto rule change that is being done in the middle of a session, the appropriate time to do that would have been at the beginning of the session or the next. What we are doing with this resolution is actually amending our Committee rules…  When I was the chairman, I used the same rules you are attempting to change today.

“This blanket authority is being given to coerce agencies and private individuals into meeting botched and overly broad requests. So, the fact we are doing this change is unusual… and it is certainly not in the best standards of legislation, or the bests standards in Congress…”

Watch statement video HERE.

Committee Republicans offered amendments to the subpoena resolution as safeguards to the potential abuse of power. Ranking Republican Rob Bishop and U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) had amendments agreed to by voice vote. Rep. Bishop’s amendment requires Chair Raul Grijalva to consult the Ranking Member prior to any issued subpoena. Rep. Gosar’s amendment enables private citizens, outside of federal government employment, to apply for attorney fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act. An amendment offered by U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) would have protected private citizens from this subpoena resolution. This amendment was rejected by Committee Democrats.

Read Bishop Amendment HERE.

Read Gosar Amendment HERE.

Read Johnson Amendment HERE.